What Does Renewed Mean on Amazon? A Complete Guide for Buyers and Sellers

If you've been shopping on Amazon and noticed products labeled "Renewed," you're not alone. Millions of shoppers search for this term every month, and for good reason — Amazon Renewed products can save you hundreds of dollars on electronics, appliances, and more.

But what does renewed actually mean on Amazon? Is it the same as refurbished? And are these products worth buying?

At Lab 916, we manage over $250 million in Amazon revenue for established brands, and we've helped sellers navigate the Amazon Renewed program firsthand. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know — whether you're a buyer looking for deals or a seller exploring a new revenue stream.

What Is Amazon Renewed?

Amazon Renewed is a program that sells pre-owned, refurbished, and open-box products that have been inspected, tested, and cleaned to work and look like new. Think of it as Amazon's certified marketplace for second-hand goods.

The program launched in 2017 and has since become one of the most popular destinations for shoppers looking for like-new products at discounted prices. Every product sold through Amazon Renewed must meet strict quality standards before it can be listed.

There are three types of products you'll find in the Amazon Renewed store:

Pre-owned products have been previously used by a customer but remain fully functional. They may show minor cosmetic wear but work exactly as intended.

Refurbished products are items that were returned due to a defect or issue, then professionally repaired, tested, and restored to like-new condition. All faulty parts are replaced with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) components.

Open-box products are items that were purchased, had their packaging opened, but were never actually used. The product itself is essentially new — only the packaging has been compromised.

Amazon Renewed vs. Refurbished: Is There a Difference?

This is one of the most common points of confusion. Amazon does not have separate "Renewed" and "Refurbished" programs. Amazon Renewed is the single program that covers all refurbished, pre-owned, and open-box products on the platform.

In other words, "renewed" is simply Amazon's branding for what other retailers might call "refurbished" or "certified pre-owned." The key difference is that Amazon enforces specific quality standards that all renewed products must meet, which isn't always the case with generic refurbished goods sold elsewhere.

Amazon Renewed Condition Grades Explained

Not all renewed products are in the same condition. Amazon uses four condition grades to help buyers understand exactly what they're getting:

Renewed Premium is the highest tier. These products show zero signs of cosmetic damage when held 12 inches away. Batteries (where applicable) are tested to hold at least 90% capacity relative to new. Premium products also come with a longer return window of one year instead of the standard 90 days.

Renewed Excellent products also show no visible cosmetic damage at 12 inches. The main difference from Premium is the battery threshold — Excellent products must hold at least 80% battery capacity. Accessories may be generic but are fully compatible and functional.

Renewed Good products may have light scratches that are barely visible when holding the device 12 inches away. These items are fully functional but show slightly more cosmetic wear than Excellent or Premium grades.

Renewed Acceptable is the most affordable tier. These products may have scratches visible at 12 inches that are perceptible to touch, and may have up to three minor dents. Despite the cosmetic wear, they are fully functional.

The Amazon Renewed Guarantee

Every product sold through Amazon Renewed is backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee. Here's what that coverage includes:

For standard Renewed products (Excellent, Good, and Acceptable), you get a 90-day return window. If the product doesn't work or look as described, you can get a full refund or replacement within 90 days of receiving it.

For Renewed Premium products, the coverage extends to a full year. This includes Amazon's standard 30-day return period followed by an 11-month limited warranty serviced by Asurion, covering defects in materials and workmanship with no deductible.

If you run into any issues, you can reach Amazon's dedicated Renewed support team directly from your Orders page by clicking the "Get Product Support" button next to your purchase.

It's worth noting that the guarantee does not cover accidental damage, misuse, or damage from third-party repairs. But for defects and items that don't match their listed condition, you're fully protected.

Is Amazon Renewed Reliable?

This is the question we hear most often, and the short answer is yes — with some caveats.

Amazon Renewed products are inspected and tested by Amazon-qualified suppliers who must meet strict performance targets. The testing process typically includes a full diagnostic test, replacement of any faulty parts, and thorough cleaning. Products that don't meet Amazon's standards don't get listed.

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Check the condition grade carefully. There's a meaningful difference between Renewed Premium and Renewed Acceptable. If you want something that looks and feels brand new, stick with Premium or Excellent.

Read the product listing thoroughly. Sellers are required to disclose any exceptions to Amazon's standard quality requirements. Pay attention to details about accessories (which may be generic rather than original) and any noted cosmetic imperfections.

Battery life varies. For electronics like phones and laptops, batteries are tested to hold at least 80% capacity (90% for Premium). That's still solid, but it's not the same as a brand-new battery. For phones specifically, renewed products are not guaranteed to maintain their original waterproof seal.

Renewed Premium offers the best peace of mind. The one-year warranty and higher quality standards make Premium products the closest thing to buying new at a discount.

What Products Can You Buy on Amazon Renewed?

The Amazon Renewed store covers a wide range of product categories, primarily focused on electronics and devices:

Smartphones and wireless devices, laptops and computers, tablets, headphones and audio equipment, cameras, video game consoles, home and kitchen appliances, power tools, office equipment, watches, and outdoor and sports electronics.

The most popular renewed purchases tend to be smartphones (especially iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices), laptops, iPads, and gaming consoles — categories where the savings can be substantial.

How to Sell on Amazon Renewed: Seller Requirements

If you're a brand or seller considering the Amazon Renewed program, here's what you need to know about qualification.

Basic requirements to apply:

You must be a registered Amazon seller with an active account. If you're not sure which seller plan you need, check out our guide on Amazon Individual vs. Professional seller plans. You need to supply invoices totaling at least $50,000 in qualifying refurbished purchases from the 90 days prior to your application. For Apple and Samsung wireless products, the threshold jumps to $2.5 million. For non-wireless Apple and Samsung products, you need $100,000.

Performance metrics you must maintain:

Once approved, Amazon holds you to strict ongoing standards. Your Order Defect Rate must stay at 0.8% or below. Your Renewed Quality Score (RQS) must remain at 98% or above — meaning fewer than 2% of your orders can have reported defects over a 13-week period. The percentage of 1- and 2-star reviews on your renewed listings must stay below 10% of total reviews.

Pricing rules:

All renewed products must be listed at a minimum 5% discount compared to their new counterpart on Amazon. You can use Amazon's Automate Pricing tool to set a Renewed Pricing Rule that automatically adjusts your prices based on the new product's price changes.

Fulfillment options:

FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) sellers are automatically eligible to participate. FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) sellers must opt in to pre-paid return labels in Seller Central to qualify for the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.

Pros and Cons of Selling Through Amazon Renewed

Advantages:

The program is exclusive by design, which means significantly less competition than the standard marketplace. Not every seller qualifies, so those who do enjoy a more favorable competitive landscape.

You can recover revenue from returned or open-box inventory that would otherwise be a loss. Instead of writing off customer returns, you can refurbish and resell them through a trusted channel.

Amazon's built-in customer trust carries over to Renewed. Shoppers know that products are backed by Amazon's guarantee, which lowers the barrier to purchase — similar to how badges like Amazon's Choice signal quality to buyers.

Disadvantages:

The $50,000 invoice requirement creates a high barrier to entry for smaller sellers. This isn't a program you can casually test — it requires real commitment and inventory investment.

Returns may be higher than new product sales. Despite quality testing, some buyers have higher expectations for renewed items, and the 90-day guarantee window means they have plenty of time to return.

Brand perception is a consideration. Some premium brands may not want their products associated with refurbished or pre-owned labels, particularly for luxury items where the unboxing experience is part of the brand value.

Renewed products appear in search results alongside new products, which can create confusion for customers and potentially cannibalize new product sales. Understanding how Amazon's search results and sponsored listings work can help you manage this.

Tips for Buyers: Getting the Best Amazon Renewed Deals

If you're looking to save money with Amazon Renewed, here are some practical tips:

Go for Renewed Premium when the savings are meaningful. The one-year warranty and top-tier condition make it the safest choice. If the price difference between Premium and new is significant, it's usually worth it.

Compare prices carefully. Not all renewed products offer substantial discounts. Amazon requires a minimum 5% discount, but some products are priced close to new. Make sure the savings justify buying renewed.

Check the seller ratings. Not all renewed sellers are equal. Look at the seller's overall ratings and recent reviews, especially on their renewed listings.

Buy during sale events. Amazon Renewed products get additional discounts during Prime Day, Black Friday, and other major sales events. Stacking the renewed discount with a sale price can lead to exceptional deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Amazon Renewed mean used? Not exactly. While some renewed products are pre-owned, others are open-box items that were never used. All renewed products have been inspected, tested, and certified to work and look like new, regardless of their origin.

Can I return an Amazon Renewed product? Yes. Standard renewed products come with a 90-day return policy. Renewed Premium products come with a full one-year warranty. If the product doesn't work or look as expected, you're eligible for a full refund or replacement.

Is Amazon Renewed better than buying refurbished elsewhere? Amazon's quality standards and guarantee program provide a level of protection you don't always get with other refurbished sellers. The Amazon Renewed Guarantee ensures you can return the product if it doesn't meet expectations, which reduces your risk significantly.

What's the difference between Amazon Renewed and Amazon Renewed Premium? Renewed Premium products meet higher quality standards, including 90% battery capacity (vs. 80% for standard) and come with a one-year warranty instead of the standard 90-day guarantee. They're Amazon's top-tier renewed offering.

Are Amazon Renewed phones unlocked? It depends on the listing. Some renewed phones are unlocked and some are carrier-locked. Always check the product listing details before purchasing. Also note that renewed phones are not guaranteed to maintain their waterproof seal and do not come with headphones.

How do I become an Amazon Renewed seller? Log into Seller Central and submit an application to the Amazon Renewed program. You'll need to provide invoices showing at least $50,000 in qualifying refurbished purchases from the previous 90 days, along with product and packaging photos meeting Amazon's cosmetic grade requirements. Amazon typically responds within 10 business days.

Lab 916 is a full-service Amazon agency that helps established brands grow and protect their presence on Amazon. If you're exploring Amazon Renewed or any other Amazon program, get in touch with our team for a free strategy consultation.